Liquid-handling mechanism

ABSTRACT

A liquid-handling mechanism in which a ductor roll receives liquid from a fountain roll and transfers it to a distributing or transfer roll. The ductor roll is maintained in peripheral engagement with the distributing roll and has an inner body portion concentric with respect to its axis of rotation and a covering or sleeve which has an outer surface eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of the ductor roll so that the ductor roll moves toward and from the fountain roll during each revolution thereof. Also, the ductor roll is supported by an adjustable support assembly for the ductor roll which enables the ductor roll to be adjustably positioned laterally toward and from the fountain roll while maintaining a pressure relationship with the transfer roll.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Charles A. Harless Fort Worth, Tex.[21] Appl. No. 859,535 [22] Filed Sept. 19,1969 [45] Patented Feb.16,1971 [73] Assignee HarrisJntertype Corporation Cleveland, Ohio acorporation of Delaware Continuation of application Ser. No. 624,801,Mar. 21, 1967, now abandoned.

[54] LIQUID-HANDLING MECHANISM 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 101/148, 101/350; 29/129.5,29/121; 118/262, 118/240, 118/243[51] lnLCl B41125/16; B41125/18;B41f31/12 [50] Field ofSearch 29/121,110, 129.5; 118/262, 243, 240; 101/348-351, 148; 308/29, 55, 72

[56] References Cited UN lTED STATES PATENTS 1,168,273 l/1916 Banner308/37 1,364,301 1/1921 Paxton 101/329 1,804,909 5/1931 Wistrandm,308/209 Primary ExaminerRobert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-Clifford D.Crowder Attorney-Yount, Flynn & Tarolli ABSTRACT: A liquid-handlingmechanism in which a ductor roll receives liquid from a fountain rolland transfers it to a distributing or transfer roll. The ductor roll ismaintained in peripheral engagement with the distributing roll and hasan inner body portion concentric with respect to its axis of rotationand a covering or sleeve which has an outer surface eccentric withrespect to the axis of rotation of the ductor roll so that the ductorroll moves toward and from the fountain roll during each revolutionthereof. Also, the ductor roll is supported by an adjustable supportassembly for the ductor roll which enables the ductor roll to be:adjustably positioned laterally toward and from the fountain roll whilemaintaining a pressure relationship with the transfer roll.

PATENTEU FEB 1 6 I97! 6 INVENTOR.

Cl/A/PLES A. HARLESS no.2 2% EZ A TTOR/VEYS PATENIEU FEB 1 6 I97] sum 2OF 3 INVEN 7'01? CWARLES A. IMPL E83 /Z75%MZ4% ATTORNEYS PATENTEI] FEB]6 I971 SHEET 3 0F 3 INVENTOR CHARLES A. HARLESS (7 BY W A T TOR/VEYJLIQUID-HANDLING MECHANISM This application is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 624,801 filed Mar. 21, 1967, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to a liquid-handling mechanism, and inparticular relates to an inking or dampening mechanism for use in rotaryprinting presses.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedliquid-handling mechanism such as an inking or dampening mechanism for aprinting press, having a ductor roll for transferring liquid from afirst roll which is adapted to carry liquid thereon to a second orinking roll in contact therewith, and in which the ductor roll has anouter peripheral surface eccentric with respect to its axis of rotationwhereby the peripheral surface of the ductor roll during each revolutionof the latter moves toward and from the first roll to receive liquidcarried by the first roll, and which mechanism is of a simple andeconomical construction, reliable in operation, and so constructed andarranged that little or no vibration occurs due to the eccentric natureof the ductor roll.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedliquid-handling mechanism, such as an inking or dampening mechanism foruse in a printing press, and in which the parts of the ductor roll, suchas the metal parts, are of the relatively high mass and concentric withrespect to its axis of rotation and in which the eccentricity of theroll is provided by a relatively low mass outer portion, preferably asleeve.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved liquid-handling mechanism of the character described above inwhich the outer portion of the ductor roll comprises a sleeve of varyingradial thickness made from a deformable or resilient material, such asrubber.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved liquid-handling mechanism of the character described above inwhich the ductor roll is biased into engagement with the second orinking roll to provide for continuous and uniform or substantiallyuniform pressure engagement between the ductor and the second or inkingroll during operation of the liquid-handling mechanism.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved liquid-handling mechanism in which a first roll supplies liquidto a second roll receiving the liquid from the first roll and a thirdroll for receiving liquid from the second roll, and in which the secondroll is adjustably supported at its opposite ends by adjustable supportassemblies and in a manner such that its pressure relationship withrespect to the third roll can be easily and readily adjusted and thatits lateral position with respect to the first roll can be readilyadjusted without disturbing or substantially disturbing its pressurerelationship with respect to the third roll.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved liquid-handling mechanism, as defined in the next precedingobject, and in which the support assemblies include a biasing means forbiasing the second roll into peripheral engagement with the third rolland a swivel support means rotatable about an axis normal to therotational axis of the second roll to enable the second roll touniformly engage the third roll axially of the rolls substantially freeof binding between the second roll and its supports.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedducting mechanism in which the periphery of the ducting roll movestoward and away from a source roll while in engagement with theink-receiving roll, and which mechanism is less sensitive to changes indimensions of the ducting roll than prior ducting mechanisms and inwhich finer control of the ink can be obtained.

The present invention further resides in certain novel constructions andarrangements of parts, and further objects and advantages thereof willbe apparent from the following detailed description of an illustratedembodiment of the present invention and in the accompanying drawingsforming a part of the present specifications and in which similarreference numerals are employed to designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of an inking mechanism embodyingthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately along line2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately along line3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 and 5 are schematic views of the inking mechanism embodying thepresent invention and showing certain parts thereof in differentrelative positions;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of another inking mechanismembodying the present invention; and

FlG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on a slightly smaller scale takenapproximately along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

Although the liquidhandling mechanisms of the present invention aresusceptible for use in or in conjunction with various kinds ofapparatuses wherein it is desired to supply a liquid in film form, theyare particularly useful as inking or dampening mechanisms for a printingpress, and for the purposes of illustration are herein shown anddescribed as inking mechanisms for use in a rotary printing press.

As representing one embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 1 and 2of the drawings show an inking mechanism 10. The inking mechanism 10 isadapted to be disposed between and supported by a pair of spaced sideframes 12 of the printing press. The inking mechanism 10, in thepreferred embodiment, generally comprises an ink fountain 14 having afountain roll 16 for carrying a film of ink .17 on its outer peripheralsurface 18, a ductor roll 20 which picltsup ink from the fountain roll16 and a transfer or distributor 22 for receiving the ink from theductor roll 20. The ink film on the transfer roll 22 is adapted to betransferred to an inking drum or cylinder of the printing press via aseries of intermediate transfer rolls, and in a manner well known tothose skilled in the art.

The ink fountain 14 may be of any suitable or conventional construction,and since it does not per se form a part of the present invention itwill only be described to the extent necessary for a clear understandingof the operation of the inking mechanism 10. Suffice it to say that theink fountain 14 is suitably supported by the side frames 12 andcomprises a fountain body or support means 24 having a bottom 25 andupwardly extending sides 26 at its opposite ends which rotatably supportthe opposite ends of the fountain roll to. The sides 26, bottom 25 andfountain roll 16 define a trough for holding a supply of ink 28, withthe: ink 28 being in contact with the outer periphery 18 of the fountainroll 16.

The fountain roll 16 is adapted to be: rotated in the direction of thearrow 29 while in contact with the ink supply 28. As the fountain roll16 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 29, its outer peripheralink-carrying surface 18 picks up or receives the ink 28 to form the inkfilm 17 thereon. A metering blade 30 extending across the bottom 25 ofthe ink fountain l4 and which is adjustably positionable toward and fromthe periphery 18 of the fountain roll 16 is provided to meter thethickness of the ink film 17 formed on the peripheral surface 18 of thefountain roll 16.

The ductor roll 20 picks up ink from the outer peripheral surface 18 ofthe fountain roll 16 and in turn transfers the ink to the transfer ordistributor roll 22. The transfer roll 22 is here shown as a metalcylindrical roll which is rotatably journaled on a stationary shaft 32by suitable or conventional bearings 34 for rotation about an axisextending parallel to the axis of rotation to the fountain roll 16. Theshaft 32 at its opposite ends is fixed to and supported by the sideframes 12 of the printing press. The transfer roll 22 is adapted to berotated in either direction by a suitable or conventional drive means,such as the main drive means of the printing press or by friction from aroll (not shown) to which it supplies the ink. The transfer roll 22, inthe preferred embodiment, is in peripheral contact with the ductor roll20 to rotate the latter. The transfer and ductor rolls are normallyrotated at the surface speed of the printing cylinder of the press andthe fountain roll 16 at a substantially slower speed. The rate ofrotation of the fountain roll 16 is preferably adjustable to supply theamount of liquid required, and the drive thereto may be intermittent,but is preferably continuous.

The ductor roll 20 is rotatably journaled on a nonrotatable shaft 36 bybearings 38 for rotation about the axis 40 of the bearings, which axisextends generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the fountain roll16 and the transfer roll 22.

The ductor roll 20 comprises an inner portion 42 concentric with respectto its axis of rotation 40 and an outer portion 44 having a cylindricalperipheral surface 46 which is eccentric with respect to its axis ofrotation 40. The inner portion 42 is here shown as comprising a metalcylindrical roller fixed to the outer race of the bearings 38 and theouter portion 44 is here shown as comprising an eccentric sleeve havingits inner periphery bonded or otherwise secured to the inner cylindricalroller 42. The outer periphery 46 of the sleeve 44 is circular, asviewed in transverse cross section, and has its longitudinal center axis45 laterally spaced from the axis of rotation 40 of the inner roll 42 sothat the eccentricity of the outer peripheral surface 46 graduallyvaries between high and low radius points of eccentricity A and B,respectively, located 180 apart. The distance between the axis ofrotation 40 of the ductor roll 20 and the central axis 45 of the sleeve44 is shown in exaggerated form in FIG. 4. The outer periphery 46 of thesleeve thus has peripheral extending surface portions at varying radialdistances from the axis of rotation 40 of the ductor roll 20. The sleeve44 is preferably made from a deformable or resilient material, such asrubber.

The ductor roll 20, in the preferred embodiment, is biased intoengagement with the transfer roll 22 by a biasing means 48 so as to bein continuous and uniform or substantially uniform pressure engagementwith the transfer roll 22, and in a manner to be hereinafter more fullydescribed. The ductor roll 20 is preferably positioned with respect tothe fountain roll 16 so that a varying gap will exist between the outerperipheral surfaces of the ductor roll 20 and the fountain roll 16.

The outer peripheral surface 46 of the ductor roll 20, since it iseccentric with respect to the axis of rotation 40, acts as a cam to movethe roll 20 toward and from the outer periphery 18 of the fountain roll16 to vary the distance or gap between the outer peripheral surfacesbetween minimum and maximum values, as respectively shown in exaggeratedform in FIGS. 4 and 5, during each revolution of the ductor roll 20. Thehigh point of the ductor roll 20 will in the preferred form touch thefountain roll. Since the surface of the roll 20 is resilient, i.e.,rubber, neither of the rolls will be damaged by the engagement. Thisengagement of the rubber ductor roll 20 renders the system sensitive tothe precise spacing between the fountain roll and ductor roll. it alsoenables a thinner film to be used on the fountain roll and therebyprovides for finer control of the amount of ink delivered. The ductorroll 20, due to the provision of the biasing means 48, remains inuniform or substantially uniform pressure engagement with the transferroll 22 during its movement toward and from the outer periphery 18 ofthe fountain roll 16.

This gradual engagement of the ductor roll 20 with the ink film 17 onthe fountain roll 16 between maximum and minimum values and the uniformor substantially uniform pressure engagement between the ductor roll 20and the ink transfer roll 22 provides an ink transferring operation inwhich the ink film being transferred to the transfer roll 22 issubstantially uniform in thickness. Moreover, due to the construction ofthe ductor roll 20 and the arrangement of the rolls, the problems ofmisting or spraying of the ink, even when used in high-speedpress'operations, are eliminated or substantially eliminated.

The advantage of employing the ductor roll construction described aboveis that the problems of vibration encountered in an inking mechanismemploying an eccentric structure are minimized. By making the heavierhigh mass parts of the roll concentric with the axis of rotation and bymaking the sleeve of a material which is lightweight and of low densityso that the eccentric portion of the sleeve has a very low mass,vibration,

if any, clue to the eccentricity of the sleeve 44 will be very minimaland counterbalancing is not normally required.

In the preferred embodiment, the opposite ends of the ductor roll 20 areeach supported by an adjustable support assembly 50. Since theadjustable support assemblies 50 are of an identical construction, onlythe adjustable support assembly 50 for supporting the right end of theshaft 36, as viewed in FIG. 1, is shown in the drawings and will bedescribed in detail. As best shown in H0. 2, the support assembly 50comprises a lever arm 52, which extends upwardly between the shafts forthe rolls 16 and 22, for supporting the right end 53 of the shaft 36.The lever arm 52 is pivotally connected at one end to a stationary shaft54 suitably secured to the side frame 12 of the printing press formovement in opposite directions about the axis of the shaft 54, whichaxis extends parallel to the axis of the shaft 32 of the transfer roll22. The lever arm 52 at its other or upper end 56, as best shown in FIG.2, is bifurcated to provide a transverse slot 57 for receiving the end53 of the shaft 36 and has a counterbore 59 for receiving a supportslide 60 which supports the end 53 of the shaft 36, and a bore 61extending inwardly from the counterbore 59. The counterbore 59 providesthe legs of the bifurcated end 56 with cylindrically curved sidesurfaces, as indicated by reference numeral 61, and the support slide60, which has a circular cross section, is slidably and swivellyreceived within the counterbore 59.

The supportslide 60 has a generally semicircular, transverse recess 62at itsupper end, as viewed in FIG. 2, for supporting the end 53 of theshaft 36 and is biased upwardly by a spring 64 in the opening 61 tocause the shaft 36 to engage an adjustable stop 63. The compressionspring 64 at its upper end is received in an opening 65 in the bottom ofthe support slide 60. The spring 64 functions to bias the slide 60 andthe shaft 36 in an upward direction along the longitudinal axis of thearm 52 and away from a plane containing the axes of rotation of therolls l6 and 22, and to maintain the shaft 36 in abutting engagementwith the stop 63.

The adjustable stop 63 comprises an adjusting screw threaded into acrossmember 67 secured to and extending between the bifurcated legs attheir upper end, as viewed in FIG. 2. The adjusting screw 63 has acurved inner end 68 which engages the shaft 36 with substantially apoint contact and against which the shaft 36 abuts when biased upwardlyby the compression spring 64.

When the adjusting screws 63 of the support assemblies 50 are rotated,the ductor roll 20 is moved transversely relative to a plane containingthe axes of the rolls l6 and 22 to adjust it laterally toward or awayfrom the fountain roll 16 to vary the gap therebetween at the lowerportions of the roll.

The biasing means 48 for biasing and maintaining the ductor roll 20 inengagement with the transfer roll 22 comprises a member 70 having oneend pivotally connected to the arm 52 by a pivot pin means 71 and theother end threadably connected to one end of a rod 72. The other end ofthe rod 72 is slidably received in a central through opening in a screwor headed guide bushing 73 threaded into a block 74 which in turn ispivotally connected to the side frame of the printing press 12 by apivot pin 75. A compression spring 76 encircling the rod 72 and havingone end in abutting engagement with the member 70 and the other end inabutting engagement with the end 77 of the bushing 73 remote from itshead is provided for biasing the member 70 and rod 72 toward the leftand the lever arm 52 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG.2, and hence the ductor roll 20 into engagement with the transfer roll22. The compressive force exerted by the spring 76 and hence, the valueof the pressure engagement between the rolls 20 and 22can be varied bysuitably rotating the screw bushing 73 to change its position relativeto the block 74. A locknut 78 carried by the screws 73 and engageablewith the block is provided to lock the bushing 73 in its adjustedposition relative to the block 74.

The rod 72 at its end 80 remote from the lever 52 is threaded andcarries a pair of nuts 81 and 82 with the nut 81 being adapted to abutthe head of the screw 73 to limit the movement of the rod 72 toward theleft and the lever 52 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG.2.

The nuts 81, 82 can be adjustablypositioned relative to the rod 72 so asto enable different diameter rolls to be employed and may also beadjustably positionedto limit the extent of the pressure engagementbetween the rolls 20 and 22.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the ductor roll 20 is biasedinto engagement with the transfer roll 22 by the biasing means 48 andthat the biasing force exerted can be varied by adjusting or rotatingthe screw 73. It can also be seen that the ductor roll 20 can beadjustably positioned laterally toward and from fountain roll 16 bymerely rotating the adjusting screws 63 of the support assemblies 50,and that the compression springs 64 thereof will maintain the shaft 36in engagement with the ends 68 of the screws 63.

An advantage of the above-described support assembly 50 is that theposition of the ductor roll 20 relative to the fountain roll 16 can beadjusted without significantly disturbing the pressure relationshipbetween the ductor roll 20 and the transfer roll 22, since the ductorroll 20 will be maintained in engagement with the outer peripheralsurface of the transfer roll 22 when the ductor roll 20 is moved towardand from the fountain roll due to the biasing means 48. Anotheradvantage is that adjustment of the ducting roll can be readily made bymerely rotating the adjusting screws 63 at the opposite ends of the roll20.

Also, by providing a point or substantially a point contact between theshaft 36 of the roll 20 and the screws 63 and support slides 60 whichare swivelable or rotatably about axes normal to the axes of the supportshaft 36 limited lateral movement of the shaft 36 can take place. Thiseliminates binding between the roll 20 and its supports and enables auniform pressure engagement axially between the rolls 20 and 22 to beobtained. The described structure also readily accommodated ductingrolls of different diameters and provides for fine adjustment of theducting roll relative to the fountain roll.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a modified form of inking mechanism 100. The inkingmechanism 100 is of an identical construction to the inking mechanism 10shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the ductor roll is not biased intoengagement with the transfer roll, but rotates about a fixed axis andhas a variable pressure engagement therewith, and that the supportassemblies for supporting the opposite ends'of the ductor roll are of adifferent construction. The parts of the inking mechanism 100 which areidentical to the parts of the inking mechanism 10 will be given the samereference numeral, but with a prime affixed thereto.

The ductor roll 20 of the inking mechanism 100 is positioned withrespect to the transfer and fountain rolls 22' and 16' so as to be incontinuous pressure engagement with the transfer roll 22' and so thatits outer surface moves into and out of engagement with the fountainroll 16 Preferably just the high part of the roll 20 touches thefountain roll 16'. In operation of the inking mechanism 100 there willbe a varying indentation of the roll 20' by the transfer roll 22 sincethe former is rotating about a fixed axis of rotation.

To enable the gap between the ductor roll 20' and the fountain roll 16'to be varied, the opposite ends of the ductor roll 20' are eachsupported by an adjustable support assembly 150, and in a manner whichenables the ductor roll 20' to be adjustably positioned laterally withrespect to both the foun tain and transfer rolls 16' and 22'.

Since the adjustable support assemblies 150 for supporting the oppositeends of the shaft 36' are of an identical construction only theadjustable support assembly 150 for supporting the right end 53' of theshaft 36', as viewed in FIG. 6, is shown in the drawings and will bedescribed in detail. The support assembly 150 comprises an arm 152 forpositioning the shaft 36'. The arm 152 is pivotally connected at one endto the shaft 32' for movement in opposite directions about the axis ofthe shaft 32' and at its other end is supported and positioned by asupport means 160 carried by the adjacent side frame 12 of the printingpress, The end 54' of the shaft 36' is slidably engaged with the bottomof a rectangularly shaped recess 162 in the arm 152 and is retainedwithin the recess I62 of by a holddown member 163 bolted or otherwisesecured to the top side of the arm 152.

As best shown in FIG. 7, the ductor roll 20' is adjustably positionablelaterally toward and from the transfer roll 22' by an adjustment meanscomprising an adjusting screw 165 threadably engaged with the supportarm 152 and having its left end withinthe recess 162 and in abuttingengagement with the adjacent end 53' of the shaft 36'. The shaft 36 isbiased or held in engagement with the adjustment screw 165 as a resultof the pressure engagement betweenthe ductor roll 20' and the transferroll 22'.

To enable the ductor roll 20' to be easily adjusted relative to thetransfer roll 22'the ductor roll 20' is provided with a notch or marking168 to indicate the low radius point B of its outer eccentric peripheralsurface 46. The ductor roll 20' is rotated to dispose the markings 168between and in alignment with the line between the centers of the shafts32' and 36' and then the adjusting screw 165 for each of the supportmeans for supporting the opposite ends of the shaft 36' are suitablyrotated to move the shaft 36' and hence, the ductor roll 20', relativeto the transfer roll 22' until the minimum extend of the desiredindentation is obtained. When so positioned a locknut 169 carried by theadjusting screws 165, can be turned until it is in abutting engagementwith the arm 152 to lock the adjusting screw in place. The shaft 36' isretained or held fixed in its adjusted positiomsince verticaldisplacement is prevented by the holddown member 163 and horizontaldisplacement is prevented as a result of pressure engagement between theductor and transfer rolls and the engagement between the shaft 36' andthe adjusting screws 165 at the opposite ends thereof.

The support means 160 for supporting and positioning the end 170 of thearm 152 remote from the end pivotally connected to the shaft 32' toenable the ductor roll 20' to be adjustably positioned laterally withrespect to the fountain roll 16' comprises an adjusting screw threadablyengaged with one leg of a U-shaped bracket 176 for supporting the end170 of the arm 152 and a compression spring 177 for biasing the arm 152into engagement with the adjusting screw I75. The spring 177 has one endin abutting engagement with the underside of the upper leg of bracket176 and the other end in abutting engagement with the upper side of thearm 152 and biases the arm 152 into engagementwith the upper end of thevertically extending adjusting screw 175. The bottom side side of theupper leg of the bracket 176 and the top side of the arm 152 areprovided with a pair of aligned recesses for providing seats for theopposite ends of the compression spring 177.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that when the adjusting screw 175 isrotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 7, the arm 152 iscaused to be pivoted about the axis of the shaft 32' in an upwarddirection and in opposition to the biasing force of the spring 177 whichin turn causes the ductor roll 20' to be moved away from the fountainroll 16'. When the adjusting screw 175 is rotated in the oppositedirection, the arm 152 is pivoted about the axis of the shaft 32' in adownward direction by the biasing force of the spring 177 to cause theroll 20 to be moved toward the fountain roll 16'. Since the ductor roll20' is pivoted about the axis of the shaft 32' when being adjustablypositioned with respect to the fountain roll 16, its present positionwith respect to the transfer roll 22 will remain undisturbed.

The ductor roll 20 can be readily positioned with respect to thefountain roll 16' so as to obtain the desired maximum value, of the gapbetween their outer peripheries by rotating the roll 20', after it hasbeen preset with respect to the transfer roll 22', to dispose themarking 168 indicating the low radius point of eccentricity B betweenand in alignment with the line between the centers of the ductor roll20' and the fountain roll 16, and then by suitably rotating theadjusting screws 175 of each of the support means 160 to obtain themaximum gap desired therebetween When the ductor roll as been sopositioned with respect to the fountain roll 16, it can be locked inthat position by a locknut 180 carried by each of the adjusting screws175 and which is engageable with the underside of the leg of itsrespective bracket 176.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that a very simple adjustablesupport assembly has been provided for supporting the ductor roll 20'and which can be readily adjusted to enable the ductor roll 20 to beeasily and readily adjustably positioned laterally relative to both thetransfer roll 22' and the fountain roll 16'. It should also be apparentthat the support assembly enables the ductor roll 24) to be laterallypositioned relative to the fountain roll 16 without disturbing itspreset position relative to the transfer roll 22.

It will, of course, by understood that the ductor rolls of the inkingmechanisms and 100 could be positioned relative to the fountain roll sothat its outer periphery never touches or engages the outer periphery ofthe fountain roll and/or that its outer periphery always engages theouter periphery of the fountain roll 16 during each revolution thereof,if desired, it has been found, however, that the mechanism is lesssensitive to changes in size in the ducting roll and that thinner inkfilms and better control can be obtained when the high part of theducting roll touches the fountain roll.

Although the ductor rolls in' the above-described inking mechanisms haveouter sleeves 44, 44' of varying radial thickness to provide an outerperipheral surface which is eccentric with respect to the axis ofrotation of the ductor rolls, other types of sleeves could be employedFor example, the sleeve could be a circular sleeve having one or moreaxially extending integrally formed lobes thereon, the lobes preferablyhaving an arcuate outer periphery, or a circular sleeve of uniformradial thickness and wherein one or more axially extending wires aredisposed between the metal inner body and the sleeve of the ductor rollto provide lobes at one or more peripherally spaced locations could beemployed.

The term liquid as used in the specification and claims is meant toinclude inks and other materials which are in paste or fluid form.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention involvesthree rotatable rolls 16, 20, and 22 with the roll being an eccentricroll and arranged intermediate what may be termed a first roll 22 and anadditional roll 16. The roll 20 is supported by support means includingsupport members in the form of arms 52 which are acted upon by biasingmeans 48 to urge the intermediate roll or eccentric roll 20 intoengagement with the roll 22 and support or bearing members 60. Thesupport 60 receives shaft means in the form of a shaft 36 extendingaxially from the intermediate roll.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the hereinbeforeenumerated objects and others have been accomplished and that novelliquid-handling mechanisms, especially inking or watering mechanisms foruse in printing presses, have been provided.

lclaim:

l. A liquid-handling mechanism comprising first and second rotatablerolls, shaft means projecting outwardly from each end of said secondroll, and means for supporting said shaft means and for biasing saidsecond roll into engagement with said first roll comprising a firstsupport means engaging one end of said shaft means, a second supportmeans supporting said first support means for swiveling movement aboutan axis generally normal to the axis of said shaft means, biasing meansfor biasing said second support means toward said first roll toyieldably urge said second roll into engagement with said first roll, athird roll in liquid-transferring relationship with said second roll,said second roll having an outer peripheral surface which is eccentricwith respect to its axis of rotation and which cooperates with theperiphery of said first roll on rotation of said second roll to movesaid second roll toward and away from said third roll, said second rollcomprising a metal inner body portion concentric with the axis ofrotation of said second roll and a sleeve of resiliently yieldablematerial covering said inner body portion to provide said outerperipheral surface on said second roll, said outer peripheral surface ofsaid sleeve including portions spaced at different distances from theaxis of rotation of said second roll to provide a ducting action betweensaid second and third rolls.

2. A liquid-handling mechanism comprising first and second rotatablerolls, shaft means projecting outwardly from each end of said secondroll, and means for supporting said shaft means and for biasing saidsecond roll into engagement with said first roll comprising a firstsupport means engaging one end of said shaft means, a second supportmeans supporting said first support means for swiveling movement aboutan axis generally normal to the axis of said shaft means, and biasingmeans for biasing said second support means toward said first roll toyieldably urge said second roll into engagement with said first roll,wherein said second roll is a ducting roll and comprises a metal innerbody portion having a mass which is balanced with respect to the axis ofrotation and a sleeve of yieldable resilient material covering saidinner body portion to provide an outer peripheral surface of the roll,said sleeve being of low density material as compared to the inner bodyportion and having a peripheral ducting portion providing an unbalancedmass with respect to the axis of rotation.

3. A liquid-handling mechanism comprising a first rotatable roll and asecond rotatable roll cooperating in liquid-transferring relationship, athird rotatable roll cooperating in liquidtransferring relationship withsaid second rotatable roll, shaft means projecting axially outwardlyfrom each end of said second rotatable roll, and means for supportingsaid shaft means and for biasing said second rotatable roll intoengagement with said first rotatable roll comprising a first supportmeans engaging one end of said shaft means, a second support membersupporting .said first support member for swiveling movement about anaxis generally normal to the axis of said shaft means, and biasing meansacting transversely of the axis of swiveling movement for biasing saidsecond support means toward said first roll to yieldably urge saidsecond rotatable roll into engagement with said first rotatable roll,said second roll comprising a cylindrical inner body portion having amass which is balanced with respect to the axis of rotation and a sleeveof yieldable resilient material covering said inner body portion toprovide an outer peripheral surface of said second roll, said outerperipheral surface defining a surface eccentric to the axis of rotationof said second roll, an adjustable stop means disposed on one side ofsaid shaft means opposite to said first support means, and secondbiasing means operatively connected between said second support meansand said first support means to move the latter along its axis and urgesaid shaft means against said adjustable stop to position said secondroll while in engagement with said first roll, said stop means beingadjustable to adjust the operating position of said second rotatableroll relative to said rotatable third roll to provide clearancetherebetween during each revolution.

4. A liquid-handling mechanism having a rotating ducting roll which runsin substantially continuous engagement with a first roll while theperiphery thereof moves in a ducting manner toward and away from anotherroll, said ducting roll being comprised of an inner metal body portionand an outer covering of resilient material on the outer periphery ofsaid metal body portion and substantially covering the entire outerperiphery of said metal body portion, said metal body portion beingbalanced with respect to the axis of rotation of the ducting roll andsaid covering of resilient material having outer peripheral portionsspaced at different radial distances from the axis of rotation toprovide a ducting action on rotation of said ducting roll, said outercovering being a sleeve having an arcuate outer periphery of varyingdiameter with respect to the axis of rotation of said second roll.

5. A liquid-handling mechanism having a rotating ducting roll which runsin substantially continuous engagement with a first roll while theperiphery thereof moves in a ducting manner toward and away from anotherroll, said ducting roll being comprised of an inner metal body portionand an outer 9 covering of resilient material on the outer periphery ofsaid metal body portion and substantially covering the entire outerperiphery of said metal body portion, said metal body portion beingbalanced with respect to the axis of rotation of the ducting roll, saidresilient material defining the outer periphery of the roll and havingouter peripheral portions spaced at different radial distances from theaxis of rotation to provide a ducting action, said resilient materialbeing unbalanced with respect to the axis of rotation, and saidouter'covering comprising a sleeve which is circular and is eccentricwith respect to the axis of rotation of said second roll.

6. A liquid-handling mechanism comprising a liquid supply roll, aliquid-receiving roll, an intermediate roll for transferring liquid fromsaid liquid supply roll to said liquid-receiving roll, said intermediateroll having a pair of shaft ends, support arm means supporting each ofsaid shaft ends for pivotal movement about a pivot axis substantiallyparallel to the axis of rotation of said liquid supply andliquid-receiving rolls, means operatively connected with said supportarm means for varying the position of said intermediate roll relative tosaid liquid supply roll to provide a gap therebetween, biasing meansurging said intermediate roll about said pivot axis into engagement withsaid liquid-receiving roll and maintaining said intermediate roll inengagement with said liquid-receiving roll, said intermediate roll beingrotated due to the peripheral contact of said intermediate roll and saidliquid receiving roll, and said intermediate roll having eccentric meansrotated by said peripheral contact of said intermediate andliquid-receiving roll for effecting pivoting movement of saidintermediate roll about said pivot axis against said biasing means, saidpivoting movement of said intermediate roll effecting a ducting movementof a portion of the periphery of said intermediate roll into a liquidfilm on said supply roll to pick up liquid therefrom for transferthereof to said liquid receiving roll.

7. A liquid-handling mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein the axis ofsaid intermediate roll is located above a line intersecting the axes ofsaid liquid supply and said liquidreceiving rolls, and said liquidsupply roll comprises a fountain roll cooperating with said liquidsupply to pick up liquid therefrom.

8. A liquid-handling mechanism as defined in claim 7 wherein saidbiasing means comprises an elongated member pivotally connected at oneend with said support arm means at a point above said line, and furtherincluding support means supporting the opposite end of said member forpivotal movement and for sliding movement, and a compression springacting between said support means and said support arm means.

9. A liquid-handling mechanism comprising a liquid supply roll, aliquid-receiving roll, an intermediate roll for transferring liquid fromsaid liquid supply roll to said liquid-receiving roll, said intermediateroll having a pair of shaft ends, support arm means supporting each ofsaid shaft ends for pivotal movement about a pivot axis substantiallyparallel to the axes of rotation of said liquid supply andliquid-receiving rolls, means operatively connected with said supportarm means for adjustably shifting said support arm means to vary theposition of said intermediate roll relative to said liquid supply rollto provide a gap therebetween, said intermediate roll being rotated dueto the peripheral contact of said intermediate roll and saidliquid-receiving roll, and said intermediate roll having eccentric meansrotated by said peripheral contact of said intermediate andliquid-receivingrolls for effecting a ducting movement of a portion ofthe periphery of said intermediate roll into a liquid film on saidsupply roll to pick up liquid therefrom for transfer thereof to saidliquid-receiving roll.

10. A liquid-handling mechanism as defined in claim 9 wherein saidsupport arm means comprises a first support member engaging each of saidshaft ends, a second support member supporting said first support memberand its associated shaft end for movement along a line generally normalto the axis of said shaft end, a stop disposed on said second supportmember on the side of said shaft end opposite to said first supportmember, biasing means operatively connected between said second supportmember and said Ill St support member to urge and move said firstsupport member along said line to urge said shaft end against said stop,and means for adjusting said stop to move said second roll toward oraway from said third roll while maintaining engagement with said firstroll.

1. A liquid-handling mechanism comprising first and second rotatablerolls, shaft means projecting outwardly from each end of said secondroll, and means for supporting said shaft means and for biasing saidsecond roll into engagement with said first roll comprising a firstsupport means engaging one end of said shaft means, a second supportmeans supporting said first support means for swiveling movement aboutan axis generally normal to the axis of said shaft means, biasing meansfor biasing said second support means toward said first roll toyieldably urge said second roll into engagement with said first roll, athird roll in liquid-transferring relationship with said second roll,said second roll having an outer peripheral surface which is eccentricwith respect to its axis of rotation and which cooperates with theperiphery of said first roll on rotation of said second roll to movesaid second roll Toward and away from said third roll, said second rollcomprising a metal inner body portion concentric with the axis ofrotation of said second roll and a sleeve of resiliently yieldablematerial covering said inner body portion to provide said outerperipheral surface on said second roll, said outer peripheral surface ofsaid sleeve including portions spaced at different distances from theaxis of rotation of said second roll to provide a ducting action betweensaid second and third rolls.
 2. A liquid-handling mechanism comprisingfirst and second rotatable rolls, shaft means projecting outwardly fromeach end of said second roll, and means for supporting said shaft meansand for biasing said second roll into engagement with said first rollcomprising a first support means engaging one end of said shaft means, asecond support means supporting said first support means for swivelingmovement about an axis generally normal to the axis of said shaft means,and biasing means for biasing said second support means toward saidfirst roll to yieldably urge said second roll into engagement with saidfirst roll, wherein said second roll is a ducting roll and comprises ametal inner body portion having a mass which is balanced with respect tothe axis of rotation and a sleeve of yieldable resilient materialcovering said inner body portion to provide an outer peripheral surfaceof the roll, said sleeve being of low density material as compared tothe inner body portion and having a peripheral ducting portion providingan unbalanced mass with respect to the axis of rotation.
 3. Aliquid-handling mechanism comprising a first rotatable roll and a secondrotatable roll cooperating in liquid-transferring relationship, a thirdrotatable roll cooperating in liquid-transferring relationship with saidsecond rotatable roll, shaft means projecting axially outwardly fromeach end of said second rotatable roll, and means for supporting saidshaft means and for biasing said second rotatable roll into engagementwith said first rotatable roll comprising a first support means engagingone end of said shaft means, a second support member supporting saidfirst support member for swiveling movement about an axis generallynormal to the axis of said shaft means, and biasing means actingtransversely of the axis of swiveling movement for biasing said secondsupport means toward said first roll to yieldably urge said secondrotatable roll into engagement with said first rotatable roll, saidsecond roll comprising a cylindrical inner body portion having a masswhich is balanced with respect to the axis of rotation and a sleeve ofyieldable resilient material covering said inner body portion to providean outer peripheral surface of said second roll, said outer peripheralsurface defining a surface eccentric to the axis of rotation of saidsecond roll, an adjustable stop means disposed on one side of said shaftmeans opposite to said first support means, and second biasing meansoperatively connected between said second support means and said firstsupport means to move the latter along its axis and urge said shaftmeans against said adjustable stop to position said second roll while inengagement with said first roll, said stop means being adjustable toadjust the operating position of said second rotatable roll relative tosaid rotatable third roll to provide clearance therebetween during eachrevolution.
 4. A liquid-handling mechanism having a rotating ductingroll which runs in substantially continuous engagement with a first rollwhile the periphery thereof moves in a ducting manner toward and awayfrom another roll, said ducting roll being comprised of an inner metalbody portion and an outer covering of resilient material on the outerperiphery of said metal body portion and substantially covering theentire outer periphery of said metal body portion, said metal bodyportion being balanced with respect to the axis of rotation of theducting roll and said covering of resilient material havinG outerperipheral portions spaced at different radial distances from the axisof rotation to provide a ducting action on rotation of said ductingroll, said outer covering being a sleeve having an arcuate outerperiphery of varying diameter with respect to the axis of rotation ofsaid second roll.
 5. A liquid-handling mechanism having a rotatingducting roll which runs in substantially continuous engagement with afirst roll while the periphery thereof moves in a ducting manner towardand away from another roll, said ducting roll being comprised of aninner metal body portion and an outer covering of resilient material onthe outer periphery of said metal body portion and substantiallycovering the entire outer periphery of said metal body portion, saidmetal body portion being balanced with respect to the axis of rotationof the ducting roll, said resilient material defining the outerperiphery of the roll and having outer peripheral portions spaced atdifferent radial distances from the axis of rotation to provide aducting action, said resilient material being unbalanced with respect tothe axis of rotation, and said outer covering comprising a sleeve whichis circular and is eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation ofsaid second roll.
 6. A liquid-handling mechanism comprising a liquidsupply roll, a liquid-receiving roll, an intermediate roll fortransferring liquid from said liquid supply roll to saidliquid-receiving roll, said intermediate roll having a pair of shaftends, support arm means supporting each of said shaft ends for pivotalmovement about a pivot axis substantially parallel to the axis ofrotation of said liquid supply and liquid-receiving rolls, meansoperatively connected with said support arm means for varying theposition of said intermediate roll relative to said liquid supply rollto provide a gap therebetween, biasing means urging said intermediateroll about said pivot axis into engagement with said liquid-receivingroll and maintaining said intermediate roll in engagement with saidliquid-receiving roll, said intermediate roll being rotated due to theperipheral contact of said intermediate roll and said liquid receivingroll, and said intermediate roll having eccentric means rotated by saidperipheral contact of said intermediate and liquid-receiving roll foreffecting pivoting movement of said intermediate roll about said pivotaxis against said biasing means, said pivoting movement of saidintermediate roll effecting a ducting movement of a portion of theperiphery of said intermediate roll into a liquid film on said supplyroll to pick up liquid therefrom for transfer thereof to saidliquid-receiving roll.
 7. A liquid-handling mechanism as defined inclaim 6 wherein the axis of said intermediate roll is located above aline intersecting the axes of said liquid supply and saidliquid-receiving rolls, and said liquid supply roll comprises a fountainroll cooperating with said liquid supply to pick up liquid therefrom. 8.A liquid-handling mechanism as defined in claim 7 wherein said biasingmeans comprises an elongated member pivotally connected at one end withsaid support arm means at a point above said line, and further includingsupport means supporting the opposite end of said member for pivotalmovement and for sliding movement, and a compression spring actingbetween said support means and said support arm means.
 9. Aliquid-handling mechanism comprising a liquid supply roll, aliquid-receiving roll, an intermediate roll for transferring liquid fromsaid liquid supply roll to said liquid-receiving roll, said intermediateroll having a pair of shaft ends, support arm means supporting each ofsaid shaft ends for pivotal movement about a pivot axis substantiallyparallel to the axes of rotation of said liquid supply andliquid-receiving rolls, means operatively connected with said supportarm means for adjustably shifting said support arm means to vary theposition of said intermediate roll relative to said liquid supPly rollto provide a gap therebetween, said intermediate roll being rotated dueto the peripheral contact of said intermediate roll and saidliquid-receiving roll, and said intermediate roll having eccentric meansrotated by said peripheral contact of said intermediate andliquid-receiving rolls for effecting a ducting movement of a portion ofthe periphery of said intermediate roll into a liquid film on saidsupply roll to pick up liquid therefrom for transfer thereof to saidliquid-receiving roll.
 10. A liquid-handling mechanism as defined inclaim 9 wherein said support arm means comprises a first support memberengaging each of said shaft ends, a second support member supportingsaid first support member and its associated shaft end for movementalong a line generally normal to the axis of said shaft end, a stopdisposed on said second support member on the side of said shaft endopposite to said first support member, biasing means operativelyconnected between said second support member and said first supportmember to urge and move said first support member along said line tourge said shaft end against said stop, and means for adjusting said stopto move said second roll toward or away from said third roll whilemaintaining engagement with said first roll.